inspiration

Whether you have a big space or a tiny table I think we can arrange tools, supplies and artwork to encourage creative creation.

I have moved my studio 3 times in the last 5 years, from a shared space to a huge factory loft, to a small apartment and back to the shared space.

Each space has advantages and disadvantages. I am happy to be back in a shared space – nice to have other people around.

They all needed:

• Accessible storage for supplies
• Computer and printer space
• Active design and display ares
• Storage for tools not in use

It is a big benefit to have a “slop” sink and floors that are not precious.

The things that I have found most useful for organizing:

1. Plastic boxes that can be stacked and made into table with an old door on top
2. Cardboard boxes that are labeled and that fit on my shelves
3. Filing folders are great for small prints
4. Plastic salad containers – stack and nest supplies
5. Jars and cups for pens and brushes and stuff
6. Suitcases with wheels for fabric, frames and more
7. Tacks and binder clips for displaying prints in progress
8. Bed boosters to make workbench a better height
9. Lots of shelves
10. Cube shelves for easy access to papers
11. Big sheets of foam core to make a temporary table
12. Ironing board – an adjustable table
13. Clothes lines for prints and fabric
14. Big standing bags for storage that is accessible – rags, threads
15. Comfortable chair or couch for breaks
16. Hooks, nails for rulers, tools and brushes

I would call my space controlled chaos. I go from comfortable working space to overwhelming mess and back to comfort. It helps to let go of tools and papers and prints that I don’t use or love.

I have come to realize that there will always be more and by letting go, I am making open space for something new.

Be inspired by other’s studios on my Pinterest board.

Enjoy!

Sometimes you need a little inspiration to feed your art practice.

I have been feeding my art practice in many ways these past few weeks and I am beginning to feel renewed. My mind is buzzing with new ideas. So I share these motivating activities with you hoping that they might help you too.

1 – Take walks and notice the beauty

Whether I do the bridge to bridge loop in the city or the woods and lake trail, I always return to the studio with new energy. So squeeze in a walk and see what happens.

2 – Embrace the seasonal changes

Spring in New England overs new growth and new colors. Play with the colors of the season.

3 – Be with Happy People

I am lucky to enjoy the company of my twin nephews a couple times a week. You will be amazed at how much the creative energy of young people can give you new energy too.

4 – Take a Art Class

I love taking classes and I always find a way to incorporate something into my art practice. Right now I am enjoying Fine Art Collage with Melinda Tidwell. I am dreaming about shapes! Check out the workshops that I am currently offering.

5 – Get some new supplies

I always love the hunt for new “supplies.” Often they are found object stamping tools. But these days I am into using that parts of hard cover books. I got all these books for $5 at a local library sale. Happy happy!

This is one of my recent collages, made with book parts.

6 – Use up some supplies

I have stack of monoprinted fabric. So I quickly made a new pillow cover. I used some to make book cloth to cover a big paper weight.

7 – Watch an art documentary

I found some Rex Ray images on Pinterest a while back. And was reminded of his style in the collage class. Then I found this documentary on PBS. I was inspired by how real he seemed to be. So whether it is Rex Ray or another artist, do a web search for art documentaries.

8 – Doodle in your sketchbook

I do this most mornings with my coffee. And most of the time it is not much of anything. It is an Artist’s Way style of brain dump.

My Rex Ray inspired collage

Monoprinted fabric with masking tape stencils

I hope I have shared something that will help you renew your energy and art practice. Enjoy!

 

Time!

Carve some out and claim it for yourself.

• Are there ways that you can make it easy for yourself to claim time for art?
• Are there small ways to work art making into your day?
• Are there little changes that you can make that would support your art practice?

Some of the most powerful art making habits that I practice require very little time. I encourage you to be open to seeing how you can fit tiny art making habits into your day.

1 – Take a picture

I noticed this series of shadows when I was sitting at the Addison Gallery of American Art.

Shadows are my thing. I notice them all the time on my walks. It is pretty easy to pull out my phone and capture the shadow. The shadows can then become, stencils, drawings or prints.

Photograph your thing!

2 – Flip through books

Go to the library or bookstore and skim books that look interesting to you. You could look at a certain technique or artist or artistic style. Maybe even get inspiration from a completely new approach that you have never tried.

I hardly ever read an art book. I look at pictures and get more of a feeling from the books.

3 – Doodle, scribble or write

Find a pen and a stack of index cards and leave them everywhere:

• beside your bed
• on the coffee table
• in your purse
• in the car
• in your backpack

The little index card journal can be used for:

• quick sketches
• imaginary drawings
• collage
• reminder notes and more

4 – Enjoy nature!

Nature can be an infinite source of inspiration for your art practice. Think of “nature” in the broadest sense. You can step out your office door in the city and let the sun shine down on your face!

Air, water, earth – find some and smile!

Let it sink in and then you can bring the feeling back to the studio in the form of:

• sketches
• ideas
• photos
• tools and
• new energy and plans.

I hope I have given you some ideas on how to make time for your art practice. Maybe take an art class.

If you can claim a little time to feed your art practice, then that creative energy will spill over into other parts of your day. Enjoy!

I am so lucky that I live near lots of galleries and art museums. Yesterday, I went to the Addison Gallery of American Art.

This is my reflection in a linocut by Josef Albers. I was struck by the simple graphics and bold contrast of solid black and confident white line. I was inspired to play with the abstract graphic line with materials in my studio.

I am also interested in the literal reflection of me in the work I see and the abstract idea that I am reflected in works that I like.  What do you think? Have you ever noticed reflections and shadows when viewing art?

This photo is by Wynn Bullock. I was drawn to the lights and darks, the tree and moon. It gives me enough and creates mystery as well.

We are lucky now that we can take photos at exhibits and bring the experience home.

my reflection in Hand by John Coplans

I love to walk into the small galleries and stand in the middle of the room and just take it all in. I found myself breathing deeply and smiling.

This is a panoramic shot of the Geometry part of the 4 x4 exhibit. Step in….. breathe and experience.

This is a rayograph/photogram by Man Ray at the gallery at Addison Gallery of American ART. I was smiling here because I think that gel prints can be a lot like the layers of a rayograph/photogram. A rayograph/photogram is created by placing objects on light sensitive paper and then exposing the paper. Light is block and changed by the objects creating images on paper.

Twisted Planes by by László Moholy-Nagy

I admired the cast shadows as much as the sculpture itself.

Then as I left I was just as inspired by the shadows of the trees and me.

I encourage you to step out to a gallery or museum and see yourself in some art. Take that back to the studio and make stuff!

If you are interested in playing with relief printing – then join us in the online Soft Plate Relief Printing class – starts soon. READ the details on the workshop page.

It is important to transform inspiration into action.

I am often inspired by things that most folks would not even notice:

• weeds in a crack in the street
• shadow on a window
• rust in an old piece of metal

I do just collect these ideas and impressions, but at some point they need to become more than mere inspiration.

Today I enjoyed looking at patterns through the ages in a new book at the library.

I was amazing to see the CYMK color swatches to match each pattern or textile. They confirmed principles that I try to use:

• range of value
• variety and
• repetition

I have been working my new inspirations into designs for soft foam printing plates.

I encourage you to:

• be open to inspiration that might be at your feet
• take action
• make something

Enjoy!